Shell Marine announced on Tuesday that it has expanded its lubricants distribution network into New Zealand, whilst also adding three new supply locations - in Indonesia, Spain and Chile.

Lubricants can now be ordered through Shell Marine's International Customer Service Centre for direct delivery to Auckland, Tauranga, Gisborne, Lyttelton (Christchurch), Napier, New Plymouth, Port Chalmers, Wellington and Whangarei.

In Indonesia, Shell has added the growth port city of Medan to its supply network, augmenting existing arrangements in Jakarta and Surabaya.

Also added to the firm's marine lubricants global network are Seville in Spain and Coronel in Chile.

Commenting on its decision to expand into New Zealand, Shell explained that the recent publication of the New Zealand Ministry of Transport statistics, covering 2016-2017, indicated that in gross weight terms, trade by sea grew year-on-year by 5.8 percent.

And the latest figures by value, from Statistics New Zealand, show exported goods jumped 9.5 percent in January 2018 compared to the same month the year before, while imports by value surged 17 percent.

"Customers in New Zealand will now benefit from Shell Marine's 24/7 international delivery promise, with formal guidance given on arrival lead times in each location," remarked Marcus Schaerer, Global Marketing Manager Shell Marine.

"Our country-wide commitment reflects Shell Marine's confidence in the potential for growth in its international marine lubricants business."